Breaking news
Formula 1
F1 teams agree elimination style qualifying for 2016
Formula 1 teams have agreed to the introduction of a radical elimination style qualifying format as part of a move to improve the show.
Jonathan Noble
Edited: May 5, 2021, 4:35 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
After hours of discussion in Geneva between team bosses and F1 chiefs regarding future ideas, sources have revealed that some proposals gained support.
One of them is for an elimination style of qualifying, where the slowest car at certain segments is eliminated.
Although details of the new qualifying format have not been set in stone, sources have revealed that an outline agreement is in place for the system.
The rule change idea still needs approval by the FIA's World Motor Sport Council next month, but it is understood that the plan is to have it come in as early as this year.
The concept will now be looked at in detail by sporting directors - which could expose previously unforeseen problems that make it unworkable.
One team insider did suggest, however, that the change to the format would not actually be that big a revolution as it sounds.
"I'm currently struggling to see how this changes how we operate as the tyres are generally only good for one hard lap," he said. "So we won't be driving around on sub-optimal tyres."
How it works
An outline proposal for the elimination qualifying was discussed.
Q1
-16 minutes duration;
- After 7 minutes, the slowest driver is eliminated;
- Slowest driver eliminated every 1 minute 30 seconds thereafter until the chequered flag;
- 7 drivers eliminated, 15 progress to Q2.
Q2
- 15 minutes duration;
- After 6 minutes, slowest driver eliminated;
- Slowest driver eliminated every 1 minute 30 seconds thereafter until the chequered flag;
- 7 drivers eliminated, 8 progress to Q3.
Q3
- 14 minutes;
- After 5 minutes, slowest driver eliminated;
- Slowest driver eliminated every 1 minute 30 seconds thereafter until the chequered flag;
- 2 drivers left in final 1 minute 30 seconds.
Time ballast
The F1 Commission also discussed a penalty system whereby extra time is added to each drivers' qualifying time on the basis of championship positions.
A study was conducted using the 2015 Abu Dhabi GP with the championship leader having four seconds added to his qualifying time, with everyone else taking extra time on a sliding scale.
It is understood that this could have been combined with the elimination system, but it is not believed to have gathered the necessary support.
Bodywork delay
Teams have also agreed to delay a final decision on 2017 bodywork rules until April 30, as teams chase a rules solution that will deliver a much-desired speed improvement.
Also discussed was the potential abandonment of the 100kgs fuel limit from 2017 on the basis that the faster cars will require more fuel to run at their fuel potential.
McLaren and Red Bull were reportedly in favour of such a move, but it was not passed. The more likely compromise will be a 105kgs limit.
Additional reporting by Adam Cooper
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Wehrlein: More to come from "impressive" Manor
Next article Haas mileage great for a new team - Gutierrez
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Jonathan Noble
Brundle awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s honours
Formula 1
Formula 1
Brundle awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s honours
The new rules dilemma that will define the 2025 F1 season
Formula 1
Formula 1
The new rules dilemma that will define the 2025 F1 season
Verstappen issues Red Bull title warning in push for RB21 progress
Formula 1
Formula 1
Australian GP
Verstappen issues Red Bull title warning in push for RB21 progress
Latest news
Cleetus McFarland set to compete full-time for 2027 ARCA championship
ARCA
ARCA ARCA 2 h
Cleetus McFarland set to compete full-time for 2027 ARCA championship
IndyCar veteran Sting Ray Robb secures United Autosports Asian Le Mans seat
IndyCar
Indy IndyCar 5 h
IndyCar veteran Sting Ray Robb secures United Autosports Asian Le Mans seat
Five things to look out for at the F1 Mexico GP
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Mexican GP
7 h
Five things to look out for at the F1 Mexico GP
Every time NASCAR took a win away due yellow line violations
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Talladega II
8 h
Every time NASCAR took a win away due yellow line violations
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe